Getting ahead in business is no longer about brown-nosing and being
related to the boss. In this tough job market, companies are promoting
from within - while that’s good in the sense that you have a shot at a
promotion just by virtue of the fact that you work there, it also means
that you must constantly come across as promotion material.
Leadership skills are the number one thing employers look for when a
management position opens up, even more so than experience. An
inexperienced leader can be groomed for the job, but an ineffectual
leader will be a dismal failure no matter how experienced he is. By
polishing your leadership skills and putting them out there for everyone
to see, you’ll catch the eye of the powers that be, and your name just
might come up in the next board meeting.
Don’t be Bossy
Showing off leadership skills does not mean bossing people around. You
probably don’t have actual authority over your coworkers (yet), so don’t
pretend that you do. You’ll come across as an officious jerk, and
you’ll be the opposite of an effective leader. Think of yourself as the
office cheerleader, guide, and keeper. Your goal is to make people care
about what they’re doing, give them what they need to do it well, and
put out the fires that arise along the way.
Learn to Listen
Don’t assume you know what someone else is about to say, and don’t just
mentally rehearse what you’re going to say next when someone else is
talking. Whether it’s a team meeting or a one-on-one conversation, focus
on what is being said. Repeat it back to the speaker if necessary, both
to straighten it out in your own mind and reassure the speaker that you
understand the issue. When you reply, don’t just jump in immediately
with empty jargon and verbal stalling - if you don’t have a good answer
ready, say something like, "That’s a good question. I’ll look into that
and get back to you this afternoon." And do so.
Learn to be Business Social
Everyone knows the saying about mixing business with pleasure, but
there’s a fine line to tread. Gossiping is a no-no, as is sharing
personal details. Never share something with a coworker that you
wouldn’t want divulged at a board meeting. On the flip side, don’t be an
emotionless drone, either - leaders must be able to connect with those
they lead, and doing your best android impersonation won’t allow that to
happen.
Avoid gossip and intimate conversations, but know the milestones. Set up
calendar alerts for birthdays and anniversaries, and keep an ear out
for who has a new baby, who just lost a family member, etc. Send a card
or a brief email on these occasions - just enough to offer
congratulations or condolences. People will appreciate the effort, and
it will reinforce the notion of you being on top of everything.
Mind Your Manners
Chances are you fall somewhere in the middle of the corporate ladder.
Too often, people make the mistake of only turning on the charm when
dealing with someone from an upper rung, and dropping the manners act
with those below. Wrong. A bad attitude never impresses anyone.
A good leader treats everyone with the same courtesy and respect, from
the janitor to the CEO. Appreciate the value in every employee in your
company, and recognize that each piece makes the puzzle. You would be
surprised how those on the lower rungs can influence the top brass, and
being the only middle-management type who greets the doorman by name
makes you stand out in a good way.
Delegate Well
If leadership is the most important trait to cultivate, successful
delegation is the most important leadership skill to have. It’s what
makes your team effective, drawing on the talents of each to produce a
stellar finished product. Don’t delegate based on personal feelings or
because someone "really deserves the chance" - know the strengths and
weaknesses of each person on your team.
Your job as leader is to play up the strengths so well that the
weaknesses disappear. If Jane is really great at client relations but
not so great at tracking expenses, make her the public "face" of your
team and hand the expenses over to Sally, who minored in accounting.
Chris has great ideas that need a bit of grounding, so pair him up with
John, who thinks logically if a bit stodgily. Play your team members off
one another, and fill in the gaps yourself. It’s an instant recipe for
success.
No comments:
Post a Comment